|
Bird Watching In Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has recorded more than 468 species of birds. There are a total of 339 varieties of birds found in Sri Lanka and a further 129 species of migrant birds. A total of 26 species of the birds found are native birds. The seasonal migrant birds those shuttle between the North and South Pole often use the island as the point of relaxation due to its strategic location. A bird watcher could expect to observe much as 230 species at any given timeThe wide variations in elevation from sea level to 2,530 meters & rainfall from 100 cm in the arid zones of north & south to 500 cm in the central mountains create a variety of climatic conditions within short distances rarely found in other countries. As a result, the country has birds everywhere, in woods, hills and along the seashore. But there are special places which harbor a wealth of bird life - the national parks, the bird sanctuaries, the precincts of man-made reservoirs and tanks, river banks, the lagoons, the slatterns and the rain forests. Forest birds and Wetland birds are found throughout the dry & wet zone.
Kandalama Sanctuary  There is 55 acre forest with a variety of trees, some 100 years or more in age, around the Kandalama tank including medicinal plants and a rich and varied bird life. Kandalama offers one of the best bird watching opportunities in the north central province. The diversity in habitat and the tank provides the visitors the opportunity to observe more than 145 species, which is almost one third of total number of bird life in Sri Lanka. This population consists of the arboreal, terrestrial and aquatic birds. One can also observe many waders and raptors too.
Hakgala Botanical Gardens The most favorable place for bird watching, Hakgala Botanical Gardens are the important fragment of elfin forest situated above the Hakgala Botanical Gardens.
Sinharaja man and biosphere reserve A world heritage site since 1988 this is arguably the most important site in Sri Lanka and is internationally important for its biodiversity. The reserve encompasses some of the few remaining sizeable tracts of undisturbed primary lowland rainforest. Much of the birding, however, is done in areas that were once subject to selective logging.
Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary The Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary is one of Sri Lanka's oldest Bird Sanctuaries . The sanctuary is a wetland with two salty lagoons, mangrove swamps and open areas with pockets of scrub jungles. The Park is a very important site for migrant shorebird and is quite famous for its flamingoes, Black Capped Purple Kingfisher and many other migratory birds. Birds such as the Asian Open Bill, Eurasian Spoonbill, Purple Swamp Hen Glossy Ibis, Common Snipe, and Black Winged Stilt are also quite frequently seen at the Kalametiya Bird Park.
Kumana Bird Sanctuary Kumana, situated to the northeast of the Yala National Park, is a habitat for local birds and migratory aquatic birds including flamingoes, ibis, herons, pheasants particularly impressive in the man grove swamps. Herds of elephants can also be spotted although leopards and bears are more elusive
Udawattekale Sanctuary It is situated to the North of the City of Kandy and has deep forests with many endemic birds, butterflies and plants. It is home to the 'lyre-headed lizard' found only in the rainforests of Sri Lanka. You can walk through this reserve with an experienced guide along good tracks. Birds include Layard's Parakeet, Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Yellow-fronted Barbet, Ceylon Small Barbet, Black-capped Bulbul, Brown-capped Babbler, Gold-fronted Leafbird, Blue-winged Leafbird, Emerald Dove, Brown Flycatcher, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater and Tickell's Blue Flycatcher. 
Victoria Park Setting in Nuwaraeliya, it is an ornamental park in the heart of town that has gained a reputation for birds.
Muthurajawela Sanctuary a haven for water birds and crocodiles, is close by. A government-run Visitor Centre conducts very well managed boat rides (early mornings and evenings recommended) through the swamps and lagoon.
|